Greens fear big impact of urban areas

The Sunshine Coast Enviornment Council project officer said that from preliminary analysis, the region got off lightly in terms of new urban areas although there are some development areas earmarked of major concern.

Among the areas questioned include the districts north of Pacific Paradise, west of Marcoola and near Coolum.

By comparison with Ipswich and the Caboolture Shire, which have had major increases in future urban areas, we have had far less impact, he said.

But between the Sunshine Coast Motorway and the coast, they have created lots of urban areas in areas which are flood liable and have acid sulphate soils. Some of it is good quality agriculture land which has been used for sugar cane production in the past.

That sort of development is going to disadvantage Maroochy in years to come.

One of the major environmental problems raised in the area is the impact on the nearby national park system.

Mr Holt said if the national park was surrounded by urban development, it created a grim future as ultimately islands of habitat were created, which led to population species decline, weed invasion and other problems associated with suburban living.

Overall, Mr Holt said there also were some concerns regarding the vagueness about open space and rural areas. It is very broadly defined but there seems no action plan associated, he said That was why the previous plan came a cropper lots of wish lists, but no action or strategic plans.

One positive welcomed by many sectors was the protection of caneland on the western side of the motorway.

The area has been the subject of major proposals. Development Watch spokesperson Debbie Blumel said she was delighted after the group had lobbied hard in order to protect the caneland from urban sprawl.

Rural production is vitally important to the Sunshine Coast economy, she said.

Protection under the regional plan will prevent further fragmentation and reconfiguration of productive rural lands to maintain viable farm sizes.